Patient perspectives on how living with a mental illness affects making and maintaining healthy lifestyle changes

Abstract Objective To understand the ways that mental health symptoms interfere with achieving health goals. Methods Individuals with mental illness diagnoses and varying levels of preventive service use were recruited from federally qualified health centers and an integrated health care delivery system and interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to characterize descriptions of how mental illness experiences influenced lifestyle change efforts. Results Three themes described patients’ (n = 163) perspectives on barriers to making healthy lifestyle changes: 1) Thinking about making lifestyle changes is overwhelming for individuals already managing the burdens of mental illnesses; 2) Depression makes it difficult to care about a healthy future; and 3) When mental illness symptoms are not adequately treated unhealthy behaviors that provide relief are unlikely to be discontinued. Participants also made suggestions for improving health care delivery to facilitate positive behavior change. Conclusion Patients with mental illnesses need their clinicians to be empathic, help them envision a healthier future, address unmet mental health needs, and provide resources. Practice Implications Primary care clinicians should encourage their patients with mental illnesses to make healthy lifestyle changes within the context of a supportive relationship. Lifestyle change can be overwhelming; clinicians should acknowledge progress and provide ongoing tangible support.